From the bustling epicenter of London emerges a Lithuanian enigma, Egzotikka. Commanding an intriguing array of guitars and analogue apparatus, he spins a hauntingly melancholic and distorted soundscape. Imbued with a profound reverence for the Lithuanian new wave and iconic bands like Kino and Foje, his music echoes their influence and resonates with a chilling beauty reminiscent of classic 80s coldwave’s stark aesthetic.
Egzotikka’s stylistic proclivity rejects the polished superficiality of mainstream music, embracing instead the unadorned purity of organic minimalism. He aligns his creative compass towards the emotive essence and authentic impulse of his work, casting aside the appeal of comfortable convention and easy palatability. His sonic oeuvre is a time-traversing paradox, a harmonious collision of then and now. It harks back to the poignant darkness of a bygone era while forwardly gazing upon a future of potential optimism. His sonic palette splashes across this temporal canvas, illustrating a world in flux, precariously poised between dim desolation and radiant hope.
Dripping in DIY aesthetics, the performance video for Egzotikka’s Lithuanian-language track “Veidas” puts artistic self-sufficiency front and center. The multi-talented Ieva N Cat helmed the project, taking creative reins over everything from the film’s atmospheric stage design to its meticulous shooting and editing. Nostalgic undertones reverberate through the piece, mirroring the vintage aural nuances of Egzotikka’s music and expertly capturing the balance of melancholy and hopeful optimism embodied in his sound.
Watch the video for “Veidas” below:
In a landscape dominated by digital norms, Egzotikka upholds the enduring spirit of his genre’s organic authenticity. His art proves its continued relevance even amidst our increasingly virtual existence by manifesting a potent truth that the core values of this genre – authenticity, passion, and substance – persist, alive and resonant, in the hands of artists like him.
Not just a solo virtuoso, Egzotikka is also a visionary curator and creative entrepreneur. He co-founded META MOTO, an independent cassette label, further fostering the analog ethos by creating a platform that provides exposure for other burgeoning artists. The label not only produces physical tapes but also curates a thematic radio show and podcast, pushing the boundaries of what a modern indie label can do.
“Kaukes” was released by Detriti Records on tape and digital in March 2022.
You can order the album here
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